By Uket Oka, Calabar
The Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), has been commended for empowering Cross River youths with cutting-edge knowledge in satellite technology and digital communication.
The state governor, Prince Bassey Otu, made the commendation, Monday, while declaring a 5-day NIGCOMSAT Youth empowerment workshop organised by NIGCOMSAT in collaboration with the Cross River State Government through the state Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, held at the University of Calabar.
Otu, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Justin Antisng Beshel, expressed optimism that the workshop with the theme: “Building grassroots innovation in satellite technology,” would foster innovation, enhance technical skills and create opportunities for the youths in the ever-evolving space-tech industry.
He noted that the state’s collaboration with the Nigerian Communication Satellite Ltd is providing the state government with the platform to empower the youths with the relevant skills to meet the high demand for the labour force in the communication satellite areas.
“This is one of those programmes that the state is positioned to delivering in the present administration. Before now, Cross River State has always been known as a civil servants’ state.
“Then, gradually, the present administration changed the narrative and the narrative is to integrate us with other subnational and other countries of the world in advancing our technology in line with the administration’s plans.
“This very programme, which is two-in-one, is to advance our technology in Very Small Aperture Terminal also known as VSAT and also the SPACEHACK 2025,” the governor stated.
“To the MD of NIGCOMSAT , we cannot in anyway express our gratitude the way and manner we will love to express it, we are happy that in just a moment, you swung into action and you are here to give us this training and this empowerment,” Otu said.
The governor further assured that Cross River State Government is ready to partner with NIGCOMSAT in upcoming programmes, subsequently and called on the agency to always feel free to keep writing to the state for partnership.
Assuring that, Cross River State has the enabling environment, the governor stressed that, “be rest assured we are the best place to work with as far as the issue of Nigerians are concerned.”
He advised the participants to count themselves blessed to have been nominated to participate in the training programme as well as take serious to better to become future entrepreneurs.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communication Satellite Ltd, Jane Egerton-Idehen, reiterated her dedication to fostering innovation and empowering Nigerian youths on satellite technology.
Egerton-Idehen, who was represented by the NIGCOMSAT Coordinator, Maureen Nzekwe, thanked the Cross River governor for accepting to host the programme, explaining that, out of the several letters written to other states for the programme, it was only Cross River that swiftly responded.
“This programme is designed to ensure that young people leave here with valued skills,” she said, and advised the participants to take the programme very serious, especially as the state government and NIGCOMSAT had committed so much resources for the programme.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Ijom Ukam, expressed joy for the commencement of the programme aimed at empowering youths in the state.
Ukam also lauded the state governor, Prince Bassey Otu, for his unwavering commitment to human capacity development, particularly, the empowerment of young people technologically.
He explained that the programme was designed to equip the participants with cutting-edge skills needed not just for learning a trade, but to become digital enablers of connectivity, information dissemination and economic growth in their communities.
“This training programme is designed to equip you with cutting-edge knowledge and practicals that will open doors of a myriad of opportunities; from establishing your own businesses as VSAT entrepreneurs, scholars and technicians, to securing the employment in telecommunication companies, NGOs and various other sectors, the possibilities are vast and endless,” the Commissioner stated.
Our reporter gathered that a total of 200 youths are participating in the training.
Out of this number, 150 are for the VSAT training, while 50 are for the SPACEHACK.
Some of the participants told our reporter that they were happy to be nominated for the programme and promised to put in their best to justify their nominations.
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